SRC-CTC H.B. 1645 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1645 77R3793 QS-DBy: Delisi (Nelson) Education 5/10/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Current law requires each undergraduate student entering an institution of higher education who does not achieve certain scores on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills test, American College Test, or Scholastic Assessment Test to take the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) test to assess whether the student's skill level is adequate to perform effectively in an undergraduate degree program. There are several exemptions from this requirement, including students enrolled in distance learning outside the state, deaf students, students who have graduated with a baccalaureate degree, and students who are enrolled in a certificate program of one year or less. H.B. 1645 exempts a transfer student who has accumulated 60 or more semester credit hours at an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education authorized to award baccalaureate degrees from the TASP test requirement. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 51.306(r), Education Code, to include a transfer student who has accumulated 60 or more semester credit hours at an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education authorized to award baccalaureate degrees to the list of individuals to which this section does not apply. SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.